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Decision CRTC 2000-740

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Decision CRTC 2000-740

Ottawa, 29 November 2000

Big Pond Communications 2000 Inc.
Thunder Bay, Ontario - 200014910

18 September 2000 Public Hearing
National Capital Region

New FM radio station

The Commission approves the application for a new English-language commercial FM radio station at Thunder Bay. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

The proposed service

1.

The new station will broadcast 126 hours of local programming per week. It will offer a "golden oldies" music format aimed at the 25-54 age group. While the station will mostly broadcast music, it will also provide news, weather and sports hourly, seven days a week. Newscasts will be both "live-to-air" and pre-recorded. The station will also air public service announcements and promote community events.

2.

In Decision CRTC 99-485, the Commission denied a previous request by this applicant to operate a radio service at Thunder Bay. Among other things, the Commission expressed concern that the applicant's programming commitments at that time were not sufficient to fulfil the requirement to produce an adequate amount of high-quality local programming that would meet the size and needs of the Thunder Bay community. The Commission is satisfied that, in the present application, the applicant has proposed sufficient programming staff and expenditures to meet the provisions of the Commission's local programming policy for radio.

3.

The applicant indicated that it would not take part in the Canadian talent development plan established by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Instead, the applicant made a commitment to contribute $4,000 each year to a talent search contest. It will allocate a portion of these funds to third-party advertising to promote the contest with the remainder directed to producing a compact disc of the winning entry.

4.

The applicant indicated that it will broadcast at least 39% Canadian content in its popular music selections (category 2) over the broadcast week. This level exceeds the minimum 35% required by the Radio Regulations, 1986.The Commission encourages the applicant to achieve this 39% target.

Intervention

5.

In its opposing intervention, C.J.S.D. Incorporated, licensee of CJSD-FM and CKPR Thunder Bay, claimed that the proposed new station would have a negative impact on existing Thunder Bay radio stations. The applicant responded that the Thunder Bay radio market is growing in profitability and can sustain another station.

6.

The Commission is satisfied with the applicant's response. It notes that the profitability of the Thunder Bay radio market over the past four years has exceeded both the Canadian and the Ontario average. The Commission believes that the Thunder Bay radio market can support the proposed station without unduly harming existing radio stations.

Related CRTC documents

Public Notice 1999-137 - New licence form for commercial radio stations

Public Notice 1992-59 - Implementation of an employment equity policy

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca

Terms of the licence for the new English-language radio programming undertaking at Thunder Bay

A licence will be issued and effective when the licensee confirms in writing that it is ready to begin operation. This must take place within 12 months of today's date. Any request for an extension to that deadline requires Commission approval and must be made in writing within that period.

The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, subject to determination that there is no unacceptable interference with NAV/COM services. When the Department certifies that a broadcasting certificate will be issued, the Commission will issue the licence and the licensee may begin operation (section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act).

The licence, when issued, will expire 31 August 2007.

The station will operate on the frequency 99.9 MHz, channel 260LP, with an effective radiated power of 37 watts.

The technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service. The applicant would have to select another frequency if required to do so to permit the best use of the frequency band.

The Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources
(PN 1992-59).

Conditions of licence

The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued, as also set out in Public Notice CRTC 1999-137. Further, it is a condition of licence that the licensee contributes a minimum of $4,000 in direct expenditures annually to the development of Canadian talent.